Parcel rack



Feb. 6, 1934. R WARDER U 1,946,374

PARCEL RACK Filed Aug. 17, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l Feb. 6, 1934. L. P.WARDER El AL 1,946,374

PARCEL RACK Filed Aug. 17, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Feb. 6, 1934PARCEL RACK Leicester Phillip Warder and Harry Pierpont Manley, AfricaJohannesburg, Union of South ApplicationAugust 1'7, 1932, Serial No.629,232, and in the Union of South Africa August 21,

6 Claims. (Cl. 224-29) This invention relates to parcel racks orcarriers for vehicles. Itis applicable to wheeled road vehicles,including motor cars and other a mechanically propelled vehicles, torailway vehicles, to aeroplanes, airships, and other aircraft, and toboats, ships and other sea craft.

The object of the invention is to construct a simple and effectiveparcels rack or carrier for vehicles, which will automatically collapseor close when not in use, and can be readily opened or extended toreceive and grip, or hold and retain, one or more parcels, or otherobjects or articles.

Another object is to construct the device in such a way that it can besecured in an open or extended position.

A further object is to construct the device so that the spring meanswhich operate automatically to collapse or close it can be renderedcompletely inoperative, when the device will remain fully open withoutany tendency to close or collapse, and so that the tension of the springmeans can be controlled or regulated and the gripping or retainingeffect thereby adjusted.

The invention will be more fully explained with the aid of theaccompanying drawings, wherein practical embodiments are illustratedwhich include the several features thereof. In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatical side elevation of a motor car fitted with theinvention, portion of the car structure being broken away to expose thedevice.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the form of the device shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of Fig. 2, with portion of the device brokenaway at the centre.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the device, illustrating the provision ofmeans for retaining the device in the fully open position.

Fig. 5 is a front part-sectional elevation of the lower collapsibleportion of the device, incorporating the means for controlling orremoving the'tension of the collapsing springs, the plane of sectionbeing indicated by the dotted line .r-a: in Fig. '7.

Fig. 6 is a front elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 5, and

Fig. '7 is a side elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 5.

Referring to the construction illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3 of thedrawings, we illustrate the device in a form designed for use in a motorcar, in which case it may, as shown in Fig. 1, be convenientlypositioned under the hood or roof at the rear of the wooden windscreenwinding panel, above the windscreen glass. Alternatively, it may bearranged in any other convenient position.

The device includes protecting means for the roof or inside of the topof the hood (to prevent the roof or hood being damaged by the parcels),shown in the form of a framework 1 of metal tubing, bent downwardly atone end, as indicated at 2, to fit against and be suitably secured tothe winding panel. The tubing 1 is slotted at the inside of theframework to receive and secure a preferably rigid suitably shaped sheetof woven wire, or sheet or piece of wire screening 3. The protectingarrangement may be secured in position against the hood or roof of thecar and windscreen winding panel by any suitable fixing means.

The movable or collapsible element which constitutes the parcelcarrying, supporting or holding portion of the device'is in the form ofa similar rectangular frame 4, fitted with a grid or skeleton fillingpieoeor screen 5, and is oi substantially the same construction and sizeas the upper portion of the hood or roof protecting grid or structure.

The parcel carrying structure 4, 5, is arranged beneath the protectinggrid and is movably attached thereto at each end by means of a pair ofarms or links 6, '7. The arms 6, '7, at theirupper ends are bolted orotherwise pivotally attached to a corner plate or bracket 8, fixed in agroove formed in the underside of the tubular frame 1 of the protectinggrid. The lower forward ends of the arms or links 6 are similarlypivotally attached to lugs 9 provided on the frame 4, and the lower endsof the arms 7, below the structure 4, are connected by means of a tubeor rod 10 which is non-rotatably attached thereto. The tube or rod 10 isjournalled near its ends in triangular plates or brackets 11 fixed tothe underside of the end members of the frame 4.

Around the tube or rod 10, near the ends thereof, are arrangeda pair ofoppositely coiled springs 12. One end of each of the springs 12 engageswith a pin or projection 13 fixed in the rod 10, and the other ends ofsaid springs 12 engage in holes 14 formed in the underside of the frame4. The springs 12 are so constructed and arranged that when the parcelcarrying structure 4, 5, is pulled down in order to open the device toallow of the insertion of a parcel or parcels between the elements 1, 3,and 4, 5, the tension .of the springs 12 is increased.

In Fig. 2 the device is shown in the fully open position, in whichposition the end of the frame 4 of the parcel carrying structure liesbeneath the lower edge of the downwardly shaped portion 2 of theprotecting means. The opening between the frames 1 and 4 is closed bymeans of a piece of leather or other suitable material 15 which isattached along its upper edge to the tubular frame 1 of the protectingmeans at 16, and at its other and lower edge to the tubular frame 4 at17. This piece 15 forms a collapsible closure for the opening andpermits the frame 4 to be collapsed against the frame 1, or to take upany intermediate position in order to allow the grids 3, 5, to grip anyparcel or article placed between them. The piece 15 at the same timeserves as a stop for the structure 4 in its lowermost position, when thedevice is fully open.

Instead of employing sheets of woven wire, or sheets or pieces of wirescreening in the frames 1, 4, we may use an arrangement of rods, bars orlaths, placed at suitable distances apart and secured to the frames, orany suitable arrangement of members to form skeleton or grid-likestructures with the frames.

By constructing the parcel carrying grid of skeleton or openconstruction, the parcels or articles are left open to view and theaccumulation of dust and dirt on the surface of the parcel carrying gridor rack prevented.

If preferred, instead of constructing the parcel carrying grid andprotecting grid of skeleton form, either or both of them may be in theform of a plate of thin sheet metal, or any other preferred materialsuitable for the purpose.

In the operation of the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to3, the springs 12 act on the parcel carrying grid or structure to keepit in its normal closed position immediately beneath and parallel to theprotecting grid or structure. To bring the device into use the parcelcarrying grid or structure is pulled in a downward direction to asufficient extent to allow the parcel asee Fig. 1to be placed betweenthe skeleton grids or elements 3 and 5. During this downward movement ofthe grid structure 4, 5, a slight rotary movement of the rod 10 ensues,which increases the tension of the springs 12. The parcel carrying gridis then released, or allowed to be raised by the action of the springs12, until the parcel a is gripped or held and retained between the grids3 and 5.

In Fig. 4 we illustrate the device provided with means for retaining itin the fully open position. This means consists of a stay comprising thetwo parts 18, 19, pivotally connected at 20. The upper end of the part13 is pivotally attached at 21 to the frame 1, and the opposite or lowerend of the part 19 is similarly pivotally attached to the arm or link 6at 22. The part 19 is constructed with a right-angled projection 23which serves as a stop by engaging with the other part 18 when the stayis brought into the position in which it is shown, to retain the devicein the fully open position against the action of the springs 12. Thestay can be used for keeping the device in the fully open positionwhilst arranging parcels on the grid 5, or for any other purpose.

In Figs. 5, 6 and 7 we illustrate the means for controlling or removingthe tension of the collapsing springs 12. The arrangement includes a rod24, which at its ends is non-rotatably secured to the lower ends of thearms or links '7 at both ends of the device. The rod 24 is constructedat the centre of its length with an enlarged portion 25, and at the endsof said portion 25 with two slightly reduced portions 26, 27. Around theportion 25 there is rotatably arranged a collar 28, which is securedthereon by means of a screw 29 engaging in an annular groove 30 in theportion 25. Around the rod 24 at opposite ends of the portion 25 thereare arranged two tubes 31, 32, which at their contiguous inner ends abutthe shoulders formed by the ends of the portion 25 of the rod 24, androtatably fit the reduced portions 26, 27.

33, 34, are two oppositely coiled springs which at their outer ends abutcollars 28a on the tubes 31, 32, and tightly encircle portions of theinner ends of said tubes 31, 32, and portions of the portion 25 of therod at the sides of the collar 28. The springs 33, 34, act to lock therod 24 to the two tubes 31, 32, in such a way as to ensure them rotatingtogether in one direction, whilst allowing of'relative movement betweenthem in the reverse direction. Projection 35 formed on the ends of thesprings 33, 34, engage in recesses in the sides of the rotatable collar28, so that the rotary movement of said collar 28 in one direc tiontends to uncoil or increase the diameter of the springs 33, 34, and sorelease their normal grip on the end portions of the part 25 of the rodat the sides of the collar 28, in this way permitting relative movementin both directions between 14 in the frame 4, and their other and innerends engaging the pins 13 in the tubes 31, 32, in a" similar manner tothe construction described in connection with Figs. 1 to 3.

The outer ends of the tubes 31, 32, are constructed with flanges 36 onwhich are formed extensions 37 which operate as stops, by engag ing thesides of the triangular brackets 11, to prevent rotation of the tubes31, 32, in one direction. The stops 3'? will be retained in contact withthe sides of the brackets 11 by the slight initial tension kept on thesprings 12, and will act to maintain this initial tension on saidsprings 12. With the device acting normally, or the means for removingthe tension inoperative, as the frame 4 is lowered to open the devicethe springs 12 are put in increased tension so that they actautomatically to raise the frame 4 to grip the parcel, or to close thedevice.

In actuating the arrangement in order to control or remove the tensionof the springs 12 on the rod 24, the collar 28 is rotated slightly in adirection to uncoil or increase the diameter of the springs 33, 34. Thisreleases the grip of the springs 33, 34, on the centre rod 24 and allowssaid rod 24 to rotate within the tubes 31, 32, when the frame 4 islowered. This has the efiect of controlling to the desired extent, orremoving the action of the tension of the springs 12 on the rod 24, andconsequently the pressure exerted by them to raise the frame 4 or closeor partially close the. device.

What we claim as our invention and desire to protect by Letters Patentis-:--

l. A parcel rack or carrier for vehicles and the like, including amovable parcel carrying element, a fixed part, a pair of arms at eachside of said movable element for pivotally connecting it to the fixedpart, spring means which operate yieldingly to keep the said element inits 001- lapsed and inoperative position against the fixed part, permitit to be moved away from said fixed part to receive the parcel, andcause it automatically to grip and retain the parcel between it and thefixed part when it is released, and a rod connecting corresponding armsof each pair, the collapsing springs being arranged on said rod so thatsaid springs operate the movable element through the medium of the arms,as set forth.

2. A parcel rack or carrier for vehicles and the like, including amovable parcel carrying element, a fixed part, a pair of arms at eachside of said movable element for pivotally connecting it to the fixedpart, spring means which operate yieldingly to keep the said element inits collapsed and inoperative position against the fixed part, permit itto be moved away from said fixed part to receive the parcel, and causeit automatic'ally to grip and retain the parcel between it and the fixedpart when it is released, a rod connecting corresponding arms of eachpair, the collapsing springs being arranged on said rod r so that saidsprings operate the movable element through the medium of the arms, andmeans for limiting the movement of the movable element comprising .apiece of flexible material attached along its upper edge to the fixedpart, and along its lower edge to the movable element, said piece alsoserving to close the opening between the element and part, as set forth.

3. A parcel rack or carrier for vehicles and the like, including amovable parcel carrying element, a fixed part, spring means whichoperate yieldingly to keep the said element in its closed andinoperative position against the fixed part, permit it to be moved awayfrom said fixed part to receive the parcel, and cause it automaticallyto grip and retain the parcel between it and the fixed part when it isreleased, and means for retaining said parcel carrying element in itsfully open position, as set forth.

4. A parcel rack or carrier for vehicles and the like, including amovable parcel carrying element, a fixed part, a pair of arms at eachside of said movable element for pivotally connecting it to the fixedpart, spring means which operate yieldingly to keep the said element inits collapsed and inoperative position against the fixed part, permit itto be moved away from said fixed part to receive the parcel, and causeit automatically to grip and retain the parcel between it and the fixedpart when it is released, a rod connecting corresponding arms of eachpair, the collapsing springs being arranged on said rod so that saidsprings operate the movable element through the medium of the arms, andmeans combined with the rod for controlling or remov ing the tension ofthe collapsing springs, as set forth.

5. A parcel carrier or rack for vehicles and the like, including amovable parcel carrying element, a fixed part, a pair of arms at eachside of said movable element for pivotally connecting it to the fixedpart, spring means which operate yieldingly to keep the said element inits collapsed and inoperative position against the fixed part, permit itto be moved away from said fixed part to receive the parcel, and causeit automatically to grip and retain the parcel between it and the fixedpart when it is released, a rod connecting corresponding arms of eachpair, and means combined with the rod for controlling or removing thetension of the collapsing springs including a pair of tubes arrangedaround the rod connecting the arms, around which tubes the collapsingsprings are arranged and to which they are connected at one end, a pairof oppositely coiled springs tightly fitting around the inner ends ofthe tubes and portions of the rod, and means engaging the contiguousends of the latter springs for moving them in the direction to uncoilthem to increase their diameter, as set forth.

6. A parcel rack or carrier for vehicles and the like, including amovable parcel carrying element, a fixed part, a pair of arms at eachside of said movable element for pivotally connecting it to the fixedpart, spring means which operate yieldingly to keep the said element inits collapsed and inoperative position against the fixed part, permit itto be moved away from said fixed part to receive the parcel, and causeit automatically to grip and retain the parcel between it and the fixedpart when it is released, a rod connecting corresponding arms of eachpair, and means combined with the rod for controlling or removing thetension of the collapsing springs including a pair of tubes arrangedaround the rod connecting the arms, around which tubes the collapsingsprings are arranged and to which they are connected at one end, a pairof oppositely coiled springs tightly fitting around the inner ends ofthe tubes and portions of the rod, means engaging the contiguous ends ofthe latter springs for moving them in the direction to uncoil them toincrease their diameter, and means attached to the tubes which engagewith the parcel carrying element to limit the rotary movement of thetubes in one direction, as set forth.

LEICESTER PHILLIP WARDER. HARRY PIERPONT MANLEY.

